FDA Denies PFAS Food Petition And Plans Bottled Water Limits

Key Takeaways

Although FDA denied a citizen petition seeking PFAS limits for certain foods, the agency continues to signal interest in PFAS oversight, including potential action on bottled water and possible future measures affecting seafood and infant formula.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) recently denied a citizen petition that sought regulatory limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in certain foods, while separately announcing plans to establish allowable PFAS levels in bottled water.

On June 17, 2026, FDA denied the citizen petition, concluding petitioners had not provided sufficient evidence to support the requested limits in certain foods because the “data and methodologies relating to PFAS are in flux.” FDA nevertheless stated that PFAS remain a priority and that it is “working to identify routes of PFAS exposure, understand associated safety risks, and reduce the public’s dietary exposure to those PFAS that may pose safety concerns.”